Newcastle University in 'huge shock' at student deaths

Newcastle University has released a statement on the "tragic" deaths of two medical students killed in the Malaysian city of Kuching.

Acting vice-chancellor Professor Tony Stevenson said: "We were informed this morning of the very sad news that two of our fourth-year medical students working at a hospital in Kuching, Borneo, have been tragically killed."

"Neil Dalton and Aidan Brunger, both 22, were on a six-week work placement, along with five other medical students, to put the skills they had learnt during their time here at the university into practice," he added.

Professor Stevenson said the news was a "huge shock" and added that two members of university staff were flying to Kuching "as soon as possible" to co-ordinate the return of the other students.